Diseases Rooted in Abnormalities in your Gut
We hold approximately 85% of our immunity in our guts. The bacteria in our guts is an internal organ all on its own. We are colonised by ten times more bacteria in our gut than are cells in our body.
If we do not have a healthy gut microbiome (most people have no idea how healthy their gut is) you will not metabolise and absorb foods, nutrients, vitamins and minerals. People that have low iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B’s, K and A often present with intestinal permeability or malabsorption. You do not have to present with overt gut issues to have an imbalance.
If everyone did a proper comprehensive (not your local lab ones) stool test once a year, you would stave off disease and improve your mental and physical health without drugs.
The more drugs you take, the more your gut microbiome with be altered.
Autoimmune Disease
There is a clear link between autoimmune diseases and the gut microbiome especially rheumatoid arthritis. I have seen very few clients who have developed autoimmune diseases that do not have gut issues (mild to severe). Imbalance of gut flora, SIBO, Leaky gut and general IBS are always seen
Bowel, Rectal and Stomach Cancer
It is well known that the presence of microbial pathogens or the disruption of a healthy microbiome can contribute to the development of gastrointestinal cancers. Gut bacteria can trigger macrophages to produce products that damage DNA, inducing chromosomal instability in cells. Bacteria’s such as H pylori (see my article) can cause damage resulting in stomach cancer.
Watch out for bloating, burning, diarrhea, constipation, or other continuous problems and have it seen to as soon as possible.
Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a destructive autoimmune disease that attacks the pancreas islet cell causing the loss of production of insulin. Healthy balance of gut bacteria helps reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines to protect the pancreas.
“Leaky gut” or an impaired intestinal mucosal barrier and altered mucosal immunity are involved In developing this disease and many other auto immune issues. Identifying and sorting out gut issues early on in life, reduces the risk of developing insulin resistance and diabetes 2.
Chronic Heart Disease
Gut bacteria composition has a direct link with the risk of CVD. People suffering from heart conditions are often found to have invasive Escherichia ecoli in their guts. Increased intestinal permeability can trigger inflammation (inflammatory cytokines) that can activate chronic heart failure.
Liver Disease/ Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver
- The gut and the liver work together. Healthy gut equals healthy liver.
- Gut bacteria plays a key role in the maintenance of a healthy liver.
- The liver is the first line of defence against gut-derived antigens.
Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO) and gut derived microbial toxins may play a role in the development of No Alcoholic Fatty Liver (NAFL). The liver receives approximately 70% of its blood supply from the intestinal venous outflow.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
IBD is thought to be caused in part by an aggressive T-cell mediated cytokine response to commensal bacteria, which leads to chronic inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining.
Macrophages (fighting cells) may have trouble distinguishing between friend and foe as in Crohn’s disease. They perceive harmless bacteria to be the enemy and launch an attack causing gut lining destruction. The result is chronic inflammation and an altered gut microbiome.
See my articles relating to all of the above on my website, Facebook and Instagram.
Talk to me and possibly look at doing a comprehensive food intolerance test or specialised stool test.
